When We Read

When we read

we first need eyes, ears, or fingers.

Eyes that see

ears that listen 

fingers that feel 

but all that read.

We need an open heart, an open mind, an open spirit

to welcome

an open book.

Books that sing, scare, and care.

Books that love

Books that hug

Books that see

you

and

me

she

and

he

them 

and  

they.

Books that say

“We! Are! ALL! Here!”

For that, we need ALL the books.

Next, we need a cozy corner

or maybe a pillow

if we read inside.

Or a blanket 

and the softer shade of trees

if we read outside.

Sometimes what we need

to read 

is just a little space

or a little extra time

where we can squeeze

books into the cracks of 

waiting.

Waiting to be picked up

Waiting for “are we there yet?”

Waiting for things 

to begin

or waiting for them 

to end.

Maybe here and there

we even need some tissues

(or sometimes sleeves)

when the feelings flow.

Because readers mostly read

to laugh

to cry

to wonder and

to learn.

To fill up and

to float off.

To sympathize and to empathize

and no one should stop you

and no one should tell you

you’re not allowed to.

When we read

we can read alone

or not so alone.

We can read out loud 

to others

or just in our own heads

to ourselves.

However we choose it

(and we do get to choose it)

reading is a muscle

we get to feed

we need to flex.

A muscle to build up

and build out

in order to stretch wide our souls

so we don’t feel that we are living our lives 

alone.

When we read, we need books on the shelves

books in the desks

and many

many

MANY

books 

stacked 

around

beds.

Left on chairs

resting in the firelight

lit by windows

or even 

sneaked 

under

pillows

The books can tell tales of fairies and forests

of science and stars

of wars and worries.

They might even detangle how we are thinking

and what we are feeling.

And who we might 

even dream 

of being.

Because we have a right to read

a right to learn and yearn

a right to understand and expand.

We have a right to read.

In order to read, we need authors to write the books

and librarians to like the books.

We need teachers to choose the books

and schools to let teachers teach the books

so we can read the books.

Because we deserve ALL the books.

In order to read, we need freedom.

The freedom to choose.

The freedom to include.

The freedom to like

because reading is our right.

A book that’s very much for you

might not be the book for me.

And that’s okay. 

Because I don’t have to like it

but no one should take away your right to it.

Our right to it.

Our right to them.

Our right to grow

our right to improve

our right to know

the lies 

from the truths.

We deserve the freedom to learn

the freedom to yearn.

The freedom to turn

the world 

into a better place.

A world that includes

rather than excludes.

A world that replaces hate

with an embrace.

Where all are free to find their unique voices

and all are free to make their own choices.

When we read 

in freedom

we get to see who we are

we get to be who we are.

And that is our right.

Our right to ALL the books …

when we read.